Let's get one thing clear right from the start: This is not another rant against LeBron James.

But it's sure hard not to root for Kevin Durant and the little city that could from America's heartland.

James is the best player in the world, hands down, and certainly deserving of his first championship. Rest assured, Commissioner David Stern and the bigwigs over at ABC are sure glad LBJ is back in the NBA finals after the television ratings bonanza he was largely responsible for during Miami's riveting Eastern Conference victory over Boston.

That said, the Oklahoma City Thunder and their gracious star have shown another side to a league where the big names often come across as petty, selfish and overflowing with hubris